Samhain is the first day of the Celtic New Year, and many pagans, such as myself have adepted it to their craft as the first day of the year. 

At Samhain (pronounced sow-een), the Goddess takes on the Crone aspects, and may witches revere her as Morrigan, Hecate and Cerridwen.  She descends into the Underworld and joins with her King, becoming Queen of the Underworld, and the Goddess of the Serpent of Wisdom (the snake is a symbol of wisdom, and eternal life forces).  She joins with the God in The Great Rite, and together The Child of Light is concieved.  At this time, the veil between world are at its thinnest, and this Sabbat is where the Christian festival, All Soul's Eve comes from; for we can  peer between worlds and commmune with those of the next.  Honouring of the dead is very traditional at this time, but do not try to conjure the dead, as many witches believe in reincarnation, and as I believe, the souls of loved ones may still be preparing themselves for their next life.

Because the veil is thin at this time, it is an exellent time to do divination work and ponder on the meaning of mortal death, and eternal life.  Now is a time for reading tarot cards, runes, scrying and phrophecy.  It is also a time to let go of past failure and sadness and look forward to a new beginning at Yule.

Symbols of Samhain:
the dark moon, midnight, black (eg candles, flowers, crystals, clothes), pomegranates, pumpkins, red chrysanthemums, patchouli, myrrh, frankincense, apple, nutmeg, ylang ylang, dogs black cats, bats, and apple cut to expose the pentacle of seeds within, cauldrons

A good way of celebrating this festival is taking one of the incense listed, two black candles, and cut apple with the pentacle of seeds exposed and a photo of a dead loved one.  Cast a circle (see my guide) at midnight on Samhain and meditate on the sacredness of this day.  Picture in your mind, firstly the despair of the Goddess when she lost her consort at Mabon.  Then picture her happiness when she reunites with the God, and joins with him in the Great Rite.  Contemplate on the sacredness of the apple and how it represents wisdom, and eternal life, spiralling endlessly.  Call them to you so that you may share your pain with them and recall all your memories, both fond and not-so-good.  Ask the Goddess and God to help you let go of this saddness, and look forward to the coming new year.  You could also do some divination work, asking the Goddess and God to help you with your work.

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